Nashville Predators 2022 NHL Mock Draft Roundup

It's mock draft season.
Although the Preds selection in the 2022 NHL Draft will come just over midway through the first round, they'll have some intriguing prospects to choose from.
With the draft just over a week away, here is what different outlets envision the Preds doing with their first round pick at No. 17 overall.

NHL.com: Owen Pickering, D

Analysis: "Pickering is a strong skater who is solid in his end, handled his minutes well in all situations, and showed some offensive ability with 33 points (9g-24a) in 62 games."

The Sporting News: Rutger McGroarty, C

Analysis: "The shot stands out above everything else as McGroarty is able to load up and find the back of the net with such ease."

The Hockey News: Jimmy Snuggerud, RW

Analysis: "Snuggerud comes from an extensive hockey family and showed a ton of improvement with the U.S. NTDP this season."

Bleacher Report: Jiri Kulich, C

Analysis: "Kulich led the Under-18 World Championship with nine goals and was named tournament MVP. A versatile forward who can play center or left wing, the 5-11, 178-pounder also saw action with pros while skating with HC Energie Karlovy Vary in the Czech Extraliga, tallying 14 points in 49 games."

The Athletic: Lian Bichsel, D

Analysis: "He's one of a small group of players who interviewed with all 32 clubs at the combine, and his hulking, physical, and yet oddly mobile and poised style has drawn a lot of interest."

The Athletic: Denton Mateychuk, D

Analysis: "Nashville hasn't added a defenseman in a while at the top of the draft so I could see Mateychuk or Owen Pickering as legitimate considerations for them at this pick based on talent and fit."
The 2022 NHL Draft will be held July 7-8 at Bell Centre in Montreal. The first round will be held July 7 with rounds two through seven on July 8.
The Predators have seven picks in the 2022 NHL Draft, including two in the third round from previous trades.